A-Rod goes hitless against pitching machine: Report

Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees took part in a six-inning intrasquad game Monday afternoon, the first “game” action for manager Joe Girardi’s team this spring.

And if facing a 90 mph pitching machine known as “Iron Mike” is any indication, A-Rod might end up apologizing for more than his past PED use this summer.

Apparently, his shame has flowed over to the batting cage.

Here's our @NYDNSports back page for Tuesday: A-Rod goes hitless vs. Iron Mike, the #Yankees pitching machine. pic.twitter.com/1hhTpUMpTJ
— Tom Biersdorfer (@TomBiersdorfer) March 3, 2015

The Yankees "slugger"went 0-for-2, grounding out to third base on the second pitch he saw, then lofting the first pitch of his next at-bat to right field for a routine fly out.

To be fair, Rodriguez wasn't the only player shut down by the mechanical arm. Mark Teixeira, Didi Gregorius, Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Stephen Drew and Garrett Jones combined to go 0-for-10. Chris Young had a single in the scrimmage, though he was also the lone hitter to strike out against the machine, reported the N.Y. Daily News.

“For so many guys it’s difficult, because there’s no timing mechanism,” Girardi said about the practice gizmo. “You don’t have an arm to follow, and that’s the timing part. The guys who have that little bit of a leg kick, it’s even harder for them.”

A-Rod’s official spring debut will take place Wednesday against the Phillies in the Yankees’ home opener at Steinbrenner Field, where he’s expected to get two or three at-bats as the designated hitter.